More than $17,000 was taken from East Lincoln Fire Department and almost $4,000 was taken from the Denver Fire Department.

Keever was a former volunteer of the two fire departments. He also worked on occasion as a paid firefighter.

He used fraudulent invoices from school tuition, classes and equipment purchased for the fire department. Fire officials say the suspect also presented bills for various services that were not completed.

Keever also used the credit card at several eastern Lincoln County businesses when he was not authorized to do so.

The man is no longer an employee or a member of either department, said Deon Burleson, spokesman for the fire department.

Firefighters within the organization have felt the affects of the incident, Burleson said.

“We’re let down. We feel betrayed, and we’re absolutely sickened by this,” he said. “People trust us to come into their homes, and it’s all about integrity. Anybody who jeopardizes that integrity, there’s no tolerance for that.”

Keever was taken to Harven A. Crouse Detention Center. He was released on a $10,000 unsecured bond.